Nissan Altima PCV valve

I replaced a PCV valve on my wifes 2002 Nissan  Altima. and now it smokes out the exhaust when i start it up. when i drive it down the road and it warms up it stops smoking. It did not do this with the old PCV valve in it.

ANSWER: You did not tell us the reason you replaced it. Was it trying to repair some problem or just a maintenance replacement on your Nissan? There are several possibilities for this problem.

1. The valve is the wrong one. The orifice is the incorrect size and allowing oil to get into the combustion chambers.
2. The valve was installed incorrectly.
3. The now working PCV valve is allowing the underlying problem to show up. If the engine has an oil burning problem, it may have gummed up the old one so it was not working, but now the new one is showing you the original problem.

Some causes of the engine burning oil are worn piston rings or dried out / worn valve seals. These can cause Oil to contaminate the old valve so it was always stuck closed.

Nissan Altima Transmission Problem

Description of Problem: I went to Autozone and basically found out it’s showing my transmission is losing pressure. But I have no symptoms that’s what’s wrong with my car. Check engine light isn’t on and my car isn’t over heating. Just at times the car won’t shift and i notice it’s when the car sits, does little without moving and the only way to fix it is to turn the car off then back on. So will it mess up my car if I keep driving it and it’s actually losing pressure. Also is there away to check my transmission fluid without taking it to the dealer ship because it had a cap and once you take that off there’s a place for dipstick but no dipstick.

ANSWER: First of all, the cap may just be for filling. To see if there is suppose to be a dipstick, call any part store and see if they list one. If there is no dispstick then there is a plug on the bottom that needs to be removed to check the fluid. Best left to a mechanic.

For the pressure problem, yes, if left unrepaired this can cause problems internally to the transmission. Low fluid pressure can cause clutches to slip and seal to fail. But, your transmission could just have a problem with the pressure sensor and not actually a low pressure problem. Again, a mechanic is going to need to diagnose this as it could be the difference between a fairly inexpensive repair and a major cost repair.

2003 Nissan Altima Won’t Crank

I have a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6. The car will not crank or start. I have replaced the alternator, battery, fuel pump, and starter. Still won’t start or crank. My mechanic told me that I needed a new IPDM. The problem is this is a dealer only part and is upwards of $600-$800!! I can get one at the local Nissan Dismantlers for about $50. If I get it from them, it will be a used part. I know that I am taking a chance that it won’t work but is it possible that it WILL work? I really need help. I can not afford to buy a new one and without my car, I am having a really hard time getting to work. It is a serious vicious cycle.

Answer: Yes, i would go with the used part. Odds are it will be fine. Not all parts this way are faulty.